As we celebrate Hispanic heritage month, we go through and celebrate the legacy of those who impacted our lives. A life full of baseball and inspiration.

Roberto Clemente was a ballplayer who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 years, a Puerto Rican native that had a huge impact on the Hispanic community whilst playing baseball.

“Baseball has been very [helpful] for me”, Clemente said.

Clemente was an outstanding baseball player considered to be one of the greatest to play the game due to his passion and style that made him unique.

“When I put on my uniform”, Clemente said. “I feel I am the proudest man on earth”.

But Clemente’s goal outside of the baseball field was to always help people in need by sending medical aid and food to countries in need and motivate the youth to play sports which he taught in his baseball clinics.

“Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world,” Clemente said. “And If you don’t, then you are wasting your time”.

His will to help others is what drove Clemente towards making people’s lives better, he understood this because of where he came from and what he represented in his community.

“I represent the poor people,” Clemente said. “People that [sacrifice] have a different approach to life”.

From his assistance and willingness to collaborate, Clemente became an idol to all Hispanic culture and an inspiration to the world for his actions. 

Unfortunately, Clemente was tragically killed in a plane crash with medical aid and food to Nicaragua in 1972.

Clemente’s legacy will always continue to live on forever as, every 15 of September MLB players from each team receives the Roberto Clemete award to recognize their philanthropic efforts to their community and wear #21 in honor of Clemente. 

Roberto Clemente’s impact would never be forgotten.